In Memoriam: Max Von Sydow

Swedish actor Max von Sydow as Emperor Ming the Merciless in 'Flash Gordon', directed by Mike Hodges, 1980. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

I saw a headline online announcing that GAME OF THRONES actor Max Von Sydow had passed away. Wait, what? GAME OF THRONES? GAME OF freakin’ THRONES?! The man had hundreds of roles, some of them beyond iconic, and they decided to go with GAME OF THRONES?! What 13-year-old did they let write that piece? GAME OF freakin’ THRONES?! Give me a break!

Max Von Sydow is most famous for his role as the titular character in a little movie called THE EXORCIST. You might have heard of it. Unless you’re the aforementioned 13-year-old who thinks GAME OF THRONES is the more recognizable property. Not just one of the most over (wrestling term) Horror movies of all time, but one of the strongest, most respected movies, period, of all time. And *they* went with GAME OF THRONES.

For me personally, I will remember Max Von Sydow first and foremost not for THE EXORCIST (and for dang sure not for GAME OF fargin’ THRONES!). Most prominently, for me in my memories, he will always be Ming the Merciless from FLASH GORDON. (And it’s not just because I’ve been told I resemble Ming. Or because I wanted to get Ming eyebrows tattooed on my face but my wife wouldn’t let me. I’m still working on her, though.)

A talented actor of the highest quality, Max Von Sydow will be missed, not *just* by the Horror faithful, no; but I daresay most by them.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

2 comments

  1. Well put sir! I will also remember him best as Ming. His roles in “Citizen X”, “The Seventh Seal”, “The Virgin Spring”, “Three Days of the Condor”, “Conan the Barbarian”, “Hannah and her Sisters”, and MANY more certainly deserve more mention than GOT. He was one of those actors that disappeared into a role. You never saw Max. You saw who he wanted you to see.

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